Issues Around Attempting to Auscaltate Fetal Heart Rate

ISSUES AROUND ATTEMPTING TO AUSCALTATE FETAL HEART RATE TOO EARLY
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ISSUES AROUND ATTEMPTING TO AUSCULTATE THE FETAL HEART RATE TOO
EARLY
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ISSUES AROUND ATTEMPTING TO AUSCALTATE FETAL HEART RATE TOO EARLY
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Fetal monitoring during pregnancy is of essence as it helps predict fetal outcomes and
provide insight on possible developmental anomalies of the fetus. Fetal heart monitoring is
particularly of importance as it measures the fetus’s heart rate and rhythm and help detect
abnormality (Martis et al, 2017). The baby’s heart beat can help indicate whether they are in
distress or at physical risk. WHO recommends intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart rate
with either Doppler ultrasound device or a pinard fetal stethoscope for healthy pregnant women
in labor. The fetal heart beat can be detected as early as 12 weeks into gestation by specialized
devices. There are however several issues around attempting to auscultate the fetal heart rate too
early. Attempted early auscultation may give false results as the heart might not have fully
developed thus giving a false impression of the current health state of the fetus (Muhunthan &
Arulkumaran, 2017). Risk of inducing harm to the developing fetus is high on attempted early
auscultation as the fetus is vulnerable to physical harm within the uterus (Wisner & Holschuh,
2018). Internal fetal heart rate monitoring is associated with increased risk of infections and
direct fetal injury and is thus discouraged. Adequate explanation about the auscultation technique
should always be given to the mother before it is done in order to ensure that possible risks are
well understood.